Bill de Blasio’s “Tale of Two Cities” has one thing in common with Dickens’ original – it’s a gripping, but fictional political tale. The real “Tale of Two Cities” New Yorkers should keep in mind as they prepare to cast their ballot for Mayor on November 5 is the way New York City struggled to stay afloat amidst poor governance under the last “progressive” mayor and the devastating effects those policies have had on the less privileged in our beloved city during that time.

Enter Bill de Blasio stage left - the protagonist of his own divisive narrative. In de Blasio’s mind, New York over the last 20 years has been a nightmare and a majority of New Yorkers have suffered with Mr. Giuliani and Mr. Bloomberg in Gracie Mansion.

Yet, while Mr. de Blasio was supporting Sandinistas and honeymooning in Cuba, he may have been too busy to take notice of the dire circumstances facing our beloved city before their elections.

Crime in New York City was so rampant many didn’t feel safe being out after dark – let alone during the day. Now, today, with the help of New York’s Finest our city is the safest large city in America. In de Blasio’s New York, the New York Police Department is a barbaric force plundering our neighborhoods with no regard for the law.

In the last 20 years, we have opened the door for technological innovation and a new wave of entrepreneurship in this city, but we need to ensure that our city doesn’t handcuff those looking to live here and do business, rather that we provide our businesses and our residents the financial capacity to thrive.

In de Blasio’s New York, instead of reviewing our own books and seeing where we can reduce waste and increase the efficiency of our spending, the answer is increasing taxes. Raising taxes on any New Yorker is counterintuitive to what our city needs. New York City already has some of the highest taxes in the nation, increasing them in any capacity would only serve to continue to push out hard-working small business owners, entrepreneurs, and lifelong residents.

I remember what poor governance did to this city and the less privileged in the past. I recognize a wolf in sheep’s clothing when I see one. Bill de Blasio is running on the “say anything, promise everything” platform. Bill de Blasio is seeking the office of the Mayor of New York City; Joe Lhota is seeking the responsibility that comes with the office.

If there is any real “Tale of Two Cities” it is the stark difference between the New York de Blasio seeks to create – one of hampering those who risk their lives to protect us and stifling our economy - and the one Joe Lhota seeks to create – a city in which government spending is curtailed through efficient expenditures and allow those who wish to live and work here to continue to do so in peace and prosperity.

Voting in this election should not just be a referendum on the dangers of voting Bill de Blasio into office, but an affirmation of Joe Lhota’s unrivaled credentials for the job. It isn’t often that we are presented with a candidate with the level of practical and applicable experience as Joe to take the reins of City Hall and lead New York City through the challenges that will present themselves in the next four years.

Joe’s work as Budget Director and Deputy Mayor for Operations allowed New York to survive and rebuild amidst many of our darkest hours. I have no doubt that he will do the same as our mayor.

On top of that, Joe was born in the Bronx, and, as the son of an NYPD cop and the grandson of a New York City firefighter, Joe understands what each and every one of New York City’s five boroughs needs. This personal connection and understanding will allow Joe to carry out his mission of increasing communications within the community.

I am casting my vote for Joe Lhota, not only because I fear Bill de Blasio’s divisive and fictitious tale will send our city into a catastrophic social and financial downward spiral, but because I believe Joe Lhota – a New Yorker through and through - will be a mayor that will lean on his past experience to bolster our future.

Bob Turner represented portions of Queens and Brooklyn in the House of Representatives from 2011-2013.